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It's Shakespeare Week on Goodreads!
But, soft! What light through yonder internet browser window breaks? It's our Shakespeare Week celebration on Goodreads—and you, fair reader, are invited!
April 23 is the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. To mark this momentous anniversary, we're pulling out all the stops for the Bard this week—just take a look at our logo! We'll be featuring Shakespeare-themed quizzes, book lists, writing prompts, and games. In addition, amazing authors who have written books based on the Bard's plays are taking your questions about comedy and tragedy…and everything in between. (Bonus points for questions in iambic pentameter.)
To kick off the festivities, we asked six authors to write a deleted scene from one of the Bard's plays. (Check them out below!) On Tuesday, we helped you answer the question, Which Shakespeare play should I read next?; on Wednesday, we took a look at famous book titles based on Shakespeare lines; and on Thursday, we investigated the writers who influenced Shakespeare. What's up next? Come back to find out!
Ian Doescher, author of William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope:
Jasper Fforde, author of the Hamlet-inspired Something Rotten:
Margaret Atwood, author of Hag-Seed, a retelling of The Tempest:
Malorie Blackman, author of the Othello-inspired Chasing the Stars:
Elizabeth Nunez, author of Even in Paradise, a retelling of King Lear:
Christopher Moore, author of Fool, a retelling of King Lear:
Now it's your turn! Write your own deleted scene from a Shakespeare play in the comments and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for #ShakespeareWeek updates.
Comments Showing 51-100 of 201 (201 new)
Megan wrote: "Can we all agree to read one of his plays on Saturday?"Which play?
Joseph wrote: "A figure dressed in black, wearing a black mask, breathing heavily.FIGURE: Hamlet!
HAMLET: What spirit is this?
FIGURE: Hamlet!
HAMLET: Pray, spirit, what art thou? Answer me!
FIGURE: Thy fa..."
LOL!
For everyone reading a play: Someone mentioned Hamlet and since it is arguably his most famous play today it would be a nice choice. I haven't read Much Ado About Nothing, though, and would love to read it finally. Anyone else have suggestions and/ or thoughts concerning Hamlet or Much Ado?
PORTIAA pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine:
The court awards it, and the law doth give it.
SHYLOCK
Most rightful judge!
PORTIA
And you must cut this flesh from off his breast:
The law allows it, and the court awards it.
SHYLOCK
Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, prepare!
PORTIA
Tarry a little; there is something else.
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood;
The words expressly are 'a pound of flesh:'
Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh;
But, in the cutting it, if thou dost shed
One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods
Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate
Unto the state of Venice.
GRATIANO
O upright judge! Mark, Jew: O learned judge!
SHYLOCK
Okay, hold on there people mine!
I think we might be getting carried away!
Mine anger and hate did overwhelm,
For that I do feel a smidge shame-y!
I'm good with an I.O.U,
Pay me later with the due sum he may.
So generous is my view!
PORTIA
Oh no! Flesh you wanted, flesh you're getting!
Come on Jew-boy!
GRATIANO
O learned judge! Mark, Jew: a learned judge!
SHYLOCK
Hey, hey! Ease thy mouth flap!
What's with all the Jew-bashing huh?
You know we're going to suffer a holocaust in 500 years!
Kinder should be the sound from you to mine ears!
BASSANIO
Huh, never thought of that. Sorry ya old coot!
PORTIA
Soft!
The Jew shall have all justice; soft! no haste:
He shall have nothing but the penalty.
SHYLOCK
You know what? Fine.
A man-bitch you want to be about it?
Then Gobbo my servant, grab me my shears!
His long flaxen locks shall be mine.
And they shall continue to be so until they fill a pound,
For No matter how many years.
PORTIA
But I... I mean you can't...!
SHYLOCK
What? I can't what?
Flesh becometh hair,
Hair once was flesh.
Thy terms I fulfill and get what is fair.
My Indian friend shall help make me some wigs,
Which I'll sell at a nice profit,
To bored, stupid women everywhere.
EVERYONE ELSE
(stunned silence and confusion)
SHYLOCK
What?
Did none of you fools ever pay attention in science class?
Megan wrote: "For everyone reading a play: Someone mentioned Hamlet and since it is arguably his most famous play today it would be a nice choice. I haven't read Much Ado About Nothing, though, and would love to..."
Much Ado is a great play, if you haven't read it I would highly recommend doing so, very funny!
Much Ado is a great play, if you haven't read it I would highly recommend doing so, very funny!
Petra X wrote: "Love the new logo. It would be nice if GR changed it all the time (a la Google) to reflect literary events..."Exactly what I thought. It could be a lovely idea to have goodreads "doodles".
I like the idea of logos celebrating literary events as well. Joseph - msg 13 - LOL!
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "The logo is a poor idea. Colored, distracting from the main information on the page. Not a fan."I second that - it is too colourful and invasive.
Loving the logo, nice idea to change it regularly.
Petra X wrote: ""Romeo Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? I have something to tell you?"Romeo who is hiding from Juliet says to himself, "That nursemaid already told me she was pregnant. That's what she wants to t..."
LMAO!!!!
I am shocked there are no "deleted scenes" from Macbeth. I mean I know I've only read like three Shakespearean plays but that one is my favorite.
#Shakespeare romio and joliat i cant help my selfe
"Perdition catch my soulBut I do love thee! And when I love thee not
Chaos is come again."
Othello Act 3, scene 3
The deleted Hamlet Zombie scene reminds me of this: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...So funny
Akshay wrote: "PORTIAA pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine:
The court awards it, and the law doth give it.
SHYLOCK
Most rightful judge!
PORTIA
And you must cut this flesh from off his breast:
..."
Gotta plug this book here. Shylock Is My Name. It's part of the same Hogarth Series as Margaret Atwood's take on "The Tempest." I really enjoyed it. I gave it Five Stars.
Deleted scene from Hamlet:Hamlet's Father's Ghost: Curse you and your ceaseless northerly winds about being or not being! I am dead! I am the river of woe, not thee! Proceed to your uncle's cheating chamber and end the beating of his hateful heart. Put down the poetry and take up your sword!
Hamlet: How can thee curse me, father? I am but your instrument of revenge, constant as the sands of time pour'd from fortune's delicate curving glass.
Hamlet's Father's Ghost: Go now to that royal bed of Denmark and kill the man! Prolonging this another moon shall doom me to walk my once proud realm all the day as well as all the night.
Hamlet: I shall not fail you. I swore by the sword I would avenge thee! I swore to last night's moon, cursed my adulterous mother, and I raged against those slings and arrows that oppose us!
Hamlet's Father's Ghost: Son, I pray thee listen and obey. Shut thy mouth, pick up thy sword, and slip into your uncle's chamber and press your sword through his heart. Seal thy lips, and go now. I command thee: not the morrow, and not another word.
Hamlet: I hear the graceful Orphelia. She calls for me...I shall be strangely merry, father, and cast myself a fool. I have a plan!
Hamlet's Father's Ghost: I have run out of patience! Something is touching you Lord Hamlet. I command you to be silent for one noble moment and act without hesitation! Mark me: to the chamber now!
Hamlet: It is Orphelia. She sees me now speaking to the air. I shall cast myself the fool, father! Yes, and perhaps a play to play the King! Farewell!
Hamlet's Father's Ghost:O heavenly powers, no more words. Please. I beg you. No. More. Words.
This is fantastic! The banner is great :) I've always been a big Shakespeare fan so this puts a smile on my face! Thanks Goodreads :)
Deleted scene from "Romeo and Juliet" :Romeo : "But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the....."
"AVADA KEDAVRA!!"
A flash of green light strikes him. Romeo dies.
Enter Juliet. She finds Romeo's body, then takes the dagger from his belt.
Juliet : "It's time to REVENGE!" [Exeunt]
this is greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttt !
Macbeth - Act II - Alternate dagger sceneMacbeth: Is this a winchester model 94 hunting rifle which I see before me?
Deleted scene from "Richard III" :King Richard : "A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!"
Enter Hagrid.
Hagrid : "Nah~ fancy fer a hippogriff ride? Yeh'll enjoy this!"
[King Richard dies, anyways...]
I am loving this new idea. The logo is interesting, a bit childish but hey, turns out I like it :) Well done!I am expecting something like that for celebrating the anniversary of any other influential author. Keep up the creative work!
Joseph wrote: "A figure dressed in black, wearing a black mask, breathing heavily.FIGURE: Hamlet!
HAMLET: What spirit is this?
FIGURE: Hamlet!
HAMLET: Pray, spirit, what art thou? Answer me!
FIGURE: Thy fa..."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA yes yes yes!
this is just lovely we're in for a good couple of days!
Romeo & Juliet - Alternate/Original Ending (taken from the 1st draft)Prince: We settle a dark peace this morning. The sun is too sad to show itself. Let’s go, to talk about these sad things some more. Some will be pardoned, and some will be punished.
There was never a story more full of pain than the story of Romeo and Ju--
Coroner: Actually, they're not quite dead yet, sire.
Prince: What do you mean 'they're not dead yet'?
Coroner: Looks like Juliet nicked a couple of arteries but we managed to stop the bleeding and she'll be fine. We were able to counteract the poison in Romeo's system with a simple transfusion.
Prince: Are you sure?
Coroner: Oh yes, quite sure. Modern medicine at its best, sire.
Prince: Well, alright then. it appears they're going to be fine. So, new agenda: We'll be hanging Romeo tomorrow for the murders of Paris and Mr. Tibbs (*Tybalt's original character name - 1st draft). Juliet will be imprisoned for drug trafficking along with her dealer, Friar Laurence.
Friar Laurence (shocked): Me, sire?! But I'm just a simple Friar.
Prince: You're not fooling anyone! You're obviously a drug dealer. How else can you explain that dodgy-looking haircut?
Friar Laurence: I'm a Friar! It's the style.
Prince: Guards! Arrest him!
Prince: So, once again, we settle a dark peace this morning. The sun is still too sad to show itself. Bloody miserable weather. Let’s go, to talk about these sad things some more. Some will be pardoned, pretty much no one actually, and some will be punished, as I just stated. There was never a story more full of pain than the story of Romeo and Juliet. And don't forget about the obligatory pot-luck lunch after the hanging tomorrow. And don't just bring potato chips, put some effort into it! I want to see some variety!
THE END
The last scene of Romeo & JulietA glooming peace this morning with it brings;
The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head:
Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things:
Some shall be pardon’d, and some punished:
For never was a Facebook status more venerated,
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo: it's complicated.
Also, Shakespeare's First Folio is touring the United States and its territories! If you'd like more info on when and where the Folio will be in your area, just shoot me a message or reply to this comment!
También es el 400 Aniversario de la muerte de Miguel de Cervantes :)
Happy 400th Shakesperian Anniversary! As a Spanish native speaker I'm always involved in activities commemorating Miguel de Cervantes' (autor of Don Quixote) death which was in April 22 1616. It's nice to celebrate another genius author like Shakespeare during the same month!
I want a story about Sir Toby Belch and Maria. They have been my favorite fictional couple since forever. So much more sexy then troubled couples.
My favorite was definitely the deleted scene from The Tempest by Ian.
Act 2 Scene 2CAESAR
Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight.
Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out,
“Help, ho! They murder Caesar! I'd be mad if I didn't suspect her of wishing me dead.
CALPURNIA
With all due respect my lord, I think it better if you refer to yourself as a mad person.It would keep your narcissism in check.
CAESAR
What do you insinuate, Calpurnia?
CALPURNIA
I just believe that your cockiness is a curse.
CAESAR
Then it shall be a curse I shall bear generations over. Ones deeds define him, not ones traits.
CALPURNIA
The deeds stem from the traits, my 'lord'. Your redundancy would be amusing if not for the vision of your impending death.
CAESAR
*Sighs* Calpurnia, I have half the mind to slap you, but my honour forbids it.
CALPURNIA
Honour? Ha! I am your wife! I'm the greatest honour you're ever gonna get!
CAESAR
What do you seek?
CALPURNIA
Summon a servant and send him to the Priest. It is quite a reasonable request.
CAESAR
So be it. Who’s within?
SERVANT
My lord.
CAESAR
Go bid the priests do present sacrifice
And bring me their opinions of success.
CALPURNIA
And make it snappy!
SERVANT
I will, my lady.
Joseph wrote: "A figure dressed in black, wearing a black mask, breathing heavily.FIGURE: Hamlet!
HAMLET: What spirit is this?
FIGURE: Hamlet!
HAMLET: Pray, spirit, what art thou? Answer me!
FIGURE: Thy fa..."
Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven. William Shakespeare
I'm also going to quietly add that it's also the 400th anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes, who happened to die the same day as Shakespeare. ::partyblower:: pfffzz
Most Americans won't bother to read Cervantes except in translation, Toastkat.Dr Seuss VS Shakespeare. Epic Rap Battles of History #12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3w2M... Notice that Dr. Seuss lets The Cat in the Hat do all his fighting?
Amber wrote: "Most Americans won't bother to read Cervantes except in translation, Toastkat.Dr Seuss VS Shakespeare. Epic Rap Battles of History #12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3w2M... Notice that Dr...."
That's a fair point. I haven't seen that Epic Rap Battle yet, but I look forward to it! (Rasputin vs Stalin is my favourite.) I hope that my comment inspires at least one person to investigate Cervantes and take on the epic quest of reading his work. I honestly have not yet myself, and hope to do so soon.
I like most of those, Toastkat, but three of my four favorites are related to the Ian Doescher Shakespearean style translation of the first six STAR WARS movies: Darth Vader vs Hitler 1 through 3 Epic Rap Battles of History: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ2k2...The other one is Beethoven vs. Justin Bieber.
Amber wrote: "I like most of those, Toastkat, but three of my four favorites are related to the Ian Doescher Shakespearean style translation of the first six STAR WARS movies: Darth Vader vs Hitler 1 through 3 E..."I want to read those too. Maybe have a teen group put on a mini-theatre of them. That would be a fun summer reading program.
Some of the librarians at my library who weren't STAR WARS fans prior to the Shakespeare style renditions but were Shakespeare fans are now also STAR WARS fans, mostly because of the way Ian wrote R2's lines.http://koin.com/2015/12/18/if-shakesp...
I couldn't get the video to work.
This might help: http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/...
LOL Good one..."
Thank you :-)